OrderPaperToday – The constitution of standing committees of the senate by its president, Bukola Saraki has renewed tension as arrowhead of the Sen. Ahmed Lawan Unity Group openly queried the exercise.
Sen. Kabir Marafa representing Zamfara central senatorial district on Tuesday questioned the legality of the 65 standing committees announced by Saraki last Wednesday.
Marafa raised a point of order to challenge Saraki’s powers to increase senate committees from 57 to 65 saying it was an abuse of the constitution and standing orders of the senate as the Senate President did not consult with the selection committee before taking his decision.
Although his point of order was simply noted by Saraki, the Zamfara-born senator would later brief journalists after plenary on the matter.
He insisted that Saraki must apologize to Nigerians as his action was an abuse of constitutional powers and the Senate standing rules.
According to him, Rule 100 of the standing orders stipulates that the Chairman vice chairman and members of special committees shall be appointed by the chairman of the committee.
“Order 1 says everything we do must be conducted in conformity with the rules book and anything done outside that is null and void” he said, adding that ” the senate is where laws are supposed to be respected. If we should treat our laws with impunity, then we have no business being here.
He also faulted lopsidedness in the committee leadership adding that the committee that constituted the chairmen was not properly instituted.
He however denied that he was displeased with the committee he was chosen to head as according to him, there are no committees constituted so far.
